Can't We All Just Get Along?

These infamous words spoken by Rodney King in the wake of the Los Angeles riots several years ago seem to have become the mantra in the popular Christian culture. In particular, many within mainstream Christianity make getting along, regardless of theological position, as a test for genuine love & faith.

Personally, I realize that we all won't agree on every little issue. I further realize and admit that differences on non-essential issues shouldn't keep us from working together to spread Gospel. However, I believe no where does Scripture tell us we must ignore the truths of the Bible in order to show love to our so-called "brothers and sisters" in Christ.

Case in point is a recent C3 2006 conference at Fellowship Church in Grapevine Texas (Southern Baptist), pastored by Ed Young, Jr. (whose father is a two-time former president of the SBC). It was at this conference that Mr. Young opened his pulpit up to Oneness Pentecostal leader Dr. T.D. Jakes from Dallas, TX.

Let me say that this should not be taken as an excuse to knock the SBC. Unfortunately, I have met too many people who believe the actions of any SBC church is indicative of the entire convention, so they are quick to throw the baby out with the proverbial bathwater. This knee jerk reaction is because they do not realize that SBC churches are independent, autonomous churches. Now, back to the issue at hand....

For those that do not know, and think it's not worth being concerned about, Oneness Pentecostalism denies the Trinity. This position, historically called modalism, teaches that there is one God who appears to us in three forms (or "modes"), thereby existing in one form at a time instead of God the Father, God the Son, & God the Holy Spirit existing as God in three persons and each person being fully God at all times.

There may be a lot of things we Christians disagree about, but denying the biblical teaching of the Trinity is not something I'm willing to overlook for the sake of getting along. My prayer is that we all will stand for the truth even when it is unpopular. We shouldn't look for a fight but we shouldn't ignore our biblical convictions in an effort to avoid one.